solicitar
“solicitar” means “to apply for” in Spanish (a job, scholarship, or visa).
to apply for, to request
Also: to seek
📝 In Action
He decidido solicitar el puesto de gerente.
B1I have decided to apply for the manager position.
Usted debe solicitar su pasaporte en la embajada.
B1You must request your passport at the embassy.
Es posible solicitar una prórroga para el pago.
B2It is possible to request an extension for the payment.
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Indicative
Present
Preterite
Imperfect
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: solicitar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'sollicitare', which originally meant to stir up, agitate, or move someone to action.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'aplicar' wrong for 'apply'?
In many parts of Latin America influenced by English, you will hear 'aplicar a un trabajo'. However, in formal writing and in Spain, 'solicitar un trabajo' is considered the correct and most professional version.
Can I use 'solicitar' to ask a question?
No, to ask a question we say 'hacer una pregunta'. 'Solicitar' is for requesting things or actions (like a service or a document).
Is 'solicitar' a regular verb?
Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, making it very easy to conjugate.